Unofficial news and tips about Google

May 28, 2008

Google Earth Browser Plugin

Google Earth can now be used from a browser, without having to install the full application. Instead of the application, you need to install a plug-in that only works in Firefox and Internet Explorer 6/7 on Windows.

Google also launched an JavaScript API that lets you interact with the globe, draw markers, add layers or integrate with Google Maps. "The Google Earth Plug-in and its APIs let you embed the full power of Google Earth and its 3D rendering capabilities into your web pages." Google LatLong blog announced that each Google Maps mashup can take advantage of the new 3D view by adding a single line of code. "Our goal is to open up the entire core of Google Earth to developers in the hopes that you'll build the next great geo-based 3D application, and change how we view the world."

The samples look pretty promising, but I find it hard to understand why Google didn't use the API to create a better experience and bring more features from Google Earth (the search box, the list of overlays, the navigation controls) in a single interface.

Before downloading the plugin, please note that Google installs it in Firefox and Internet Explorer, along with a system service called "Google Update Service". The plug-in uses a lot of memory (around 100 MB just for loading the initial view and 300 MB for the Monster Milktruck demo) and, for each embedded object, you're running an instance of the Google Earth application.

1. First you download GoogleEarthPluginSetup_en.exe (300 KB), a setup for Google Update. The application creates a system service set to "Automatic" and downloads the real setup for Google Earth Plugin.

2. The plug-in's installer (googleearth-plugin-win.exe) has 6.376 KB. It includes almost all of the files installed for Google Earth, an Internet Explorer plug-in and a Firefox extension.

3. The files are copied to C:\Program Files\Google\Google Earth Plugin and the two plug-ins are installed in Internet Explorer and Firefox.

4. All the future updates are handled by the Google Update service that runs in the background all the time and pings Google to see if there's a new version available.

This plugin do not work with Mozilla Firefox 3: "There was some problem with the Google Earth Plugin. Try reloading the page.

The Google Earth Plugin does not yet support this browser.

Supported browsers currently include Firefox 2.x, IE6, and IE7, all only on Windows. Learn more »The Google Earth Plugin instance could not be created. Try installing again.

The Google Earth Plugin failed to initialize. Try reloading the page.

If that doesn't help, you can re-install the Google Earth Plugin using this link

Your Google Earth Plugin installation appears to be damaged.

We recommend restarting the browser and then loading this page again.

If the problem continues, please re-install the Google Earth Plugin using this linkThe Google Earth Plugin had an internal error. Try reloading the page.The Google Maps API key used on this web site was registered for a different web site. The developer of this web site can generate a new key at http://code.google.com/apis/maps.The Google Earth Plugin failed to initialize. The installation may be damaged. We recommend installing again.

Get the Google Earth Plugin now

3D Google Maps in your browserSupported browsers currently include Firefox 2.x, IE6, and IE7, all on Windows."

Ummmmm this might be worth the download if it actually worked on multiple platforms!! Come on google, I expect more from you. You failed to address Firefox 3 (Mac or Windows from what I understand) along with Safari on either Mac or Windows. And linux as well.

Get with it, the world doesn't just run on IE/Windows. Thank God for that.

Porting to the browser is genius, but it may fail to gain traction. They are blasting this thing out to a mass market quick and easy with ff/ie.

Port to mac? Comparatively small but growing a userbase, expensive R&D for port. Shift to phase 2 roll out.

Opera? Linux? 64chips? Decent sized base collectively but expensive R&D required unless we want to release the code. Also they tend to be technically savvy. If they're interested in a hot new technology they have the know how to check it out. Shift to phase 3 roll out.

Free is a tough business model.Google has a million feelers out there and they have to fail cheap and fail early. If they see it gaining traction they put the resources into phase two, more traction? Phase three...

This is as much a plugin as Adobe's 'pdf in the browser' plugin, which always is the first to go because it is slow as dirt, unusable and insecure. Not to mention that downloading and opening in the original app works just as well, the only difference is that you get an interface that is made for using pdf files, as opposed to a browser.

I don't understand the negativity here. This is a brilliant plug-in - or will be when they sort the teething problems. Loads very quickly on firefox 2 - constantly fails to initialise on ie7 - pity.Anyway I'm sure they'll sort the bugs out soon.

As for which browsers - I am a web developer and as such totally understand sorting out ie and ff first - that's what the majority of surfers use. Obviously we all want everyone to use these things but as a 'Beta' you have to start with ie and ff - the bugs will surface, they'll sort them , then it will be straightforward to make it work for Linux etc.

As to 'why?' - well you can use your kmz files created in Google Earth and include them in your web page now - using angles , elevated name tabs, 3d objects etc.

Brilliant - and plug-ins can enhance your web experience - would you remove the Flash one ?

Found this site while searching for help on using this plug in in IE.I installed it but cant find out how to use this feature in my browser.If anyone can help me would be grateful. Also please help for firefox....

Installer did nothing on Winxp 64 bit with FFox 2 and FFox 3 and IE7. No Google Earth Plugin directory.Anyone else with same problem? Anyone want to post the installed files for me to download and try to make work?

Hello , the google earth was working correctly on my pc and after a month am receiving the following error message:"The Google Earth Plugin had an internal error".I have reinstalled the plugins several times but problem persist .Can anyone help me please.Thanks

i dont get it ... how the heck do you download the google earth plug-in for Safari? i downloaded the google earth app then installed it into my "applications" folder. but i have to open it SEPARATELY? i am on a G4 tower and it takes FOREVER. can't i view google earth within safari? this seems like a simple simple thing. but all my searches have not landed me to the answer

1 - Have no gtalk on linux, nor we can use it'smultimedia features from the gmail webpage 2 - Have not a chrome for linux version 3 - have no linux Google earth plugin 4 - have to wait till you reliease your own linux version in order to be a able to enjoy these features.

DON'T BE SELFISH, YOU SUERLY HAVE THEM ALL DEVELOPED BUT YOU DO NOT WANT COMPENENCE FROM US. YOU ARE JUST LIKS MS.I do not forget nokia linux tablets have its own gtalk, why not us?Neither I do forget you hired the pidgin developer, FOR WHAT!!!!!!!

Google is a Financial and Money-serving entity. That is why its called a business people. If you aren't happy with google's catering to 80% of the PC market ... tough luck to you. What's with all this whining and wringing of hands that Google wants to get more marketshare ? Linux isn't about Marketshare, its about the people who Use linux have the right to modify it to suit their needs. It is obvious that Google wishes to modify linux for its needs, unless many many many users here. Please, don't be self-less, BE SELFISH, modify linux, make stuff that works on Linux. Use linux and be happy with more Linux users and developers. On linux, an user is equal to a developer. Linux user = Linux developerMore power to the user. That is Linux. If you want jail, there is always Micro$haft

According to the IT geeks at the Sacramento Public Library, GE requires administrative privileges (which they won't allow), so that application is not available on the library's Internet PC's. However, one can use the plug-in and use it that way. It's better than nothing.

the 'real' google earth is much better when you genuinely want to get acquainted with the satellite view, for the following 5 main reasons:

1. the window can be resized to suit your viewing comfort;2. there are lots of layers to customize your view;3. there's real-time weather;4. place markers;5. the view's a lot more detailed in it.

but i did like the plugin because it's fast! way faster than google earth. the drawback is the window can't be resized. so you're restricted to 700x400 view, which i found, to my surprise, is a faster way to browse a place you need to quickly view.

It's funny that google takes so much from the linux community but always delays giving back (they usually do give back but it's always a long process instead of a priority). I wish they would say "Microsoft users, YOU WAIT, since your OS provider is unfriendly and uncooperative", but....that's not how the world turns I suppose

This may be an odd question but does anyone know how this plugin actually interfaces with Firefox?

Using the methods above and changing the location of the installer to a particular folder, I can not get the plugin to appear in the Firefox list.

I NEED this plugin to install within the Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\plugin directory and be functioning properly but I can not figure out how to get it to do it

most plugins or extensions have an install.rdf file that I can open and locate the em:id and create a folder within the extensions or plugin folder and name it to that em:id and place all the files inside it and it works perfectly however Google Earth will not do that.

What i am hoping to accomplish is to use our AppV program and capture Firefox with the Google Earth plugin included. Currently I can capture Firefox no problem and I can virtualize the plugin seperately and use DSCs to link them but i am unable to virtualize them together.

hello people dont you see what is going to happen with this!, the government will be able to access your files whenever they want now, if they ever suspect you of a "terrorist". you know what fuck the government. Soon the government will fuck us all over.

come on guys, if i get over a 5000 replys to this message i'll contact google and say, look theres loads of people who want google earth but cant stand INTERNET EXPLORER, so why are we deprived at lookin, in detail at our galactic location its out of order. Opera is the most user friendly browser thumbs down to microsoft for making such an insucure browser. Peace out to all browsing in Opera and to those, who think it should be accessible to people who want to browse safe.